Statue of prince Komatsu Akihito

If there’s one statue in Ueno Park you simply cannot miss, it’s this one. Sitting proudly atop his noble steed, this man has played such a crucial role in Japan’s history that he now overlooks one of Tokyo’s most iconic parks. Elevated high above the heads of passersby, this is Prince Komatsu Akihito, though he is not directly the son of the emperor. How is that possible then? Akihito did belong to one of the several noble branches considered part of the imperial family, meaning that there were families whose children could one day ascend the throne if there was no successor. Komatsu Akihito was a soldier in the imperial army, rising quickly through the ranks due to his remarkable tactical skills. He was one of the leading figures behind the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1868—a military regime ruling Japan since 1603, marking two centuries of reign. His efforts helped bring an end to the Edo period—a name that may ring a bell, as it was also the former name of Tokyo. From its ashes rose the Meiji era, a new chapter in which Japan embraced industrialisation and development to open up to the rest of the world. For his service to the nation, Akihito was appointed Lieutenant General in the Imperial Japanese Army, and awarded the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, a title given to those having significantly contributed to Japan. So yes, he well deserves a spot in Ueno park, don’t you think?